ALSO see Mick's new commercial and involvment with 'The Motor Accident Commission M.A.C >>

"Be the best rider you can be"
- Mick Doohan, five times MotoGP Champion and SMART Ambassador

WHAT is S.M.A.R.T ?

As Patron of the Safer Motorcycle Advanced Rider Training (SMART) program, Mick wants to help motorcycle riders be the best they can be. He believes rider education and ongoing training are the keys to avoiding crashes.

SMART is a road safety initiative that offers professional instruction for licensed motorcycle riders to reduce their chances of crashing when faced with challenging road conditions.

The SMART initiative's overall objective will be to reduce the incident of motorcycle crashes in the city and to promote safe motorcycle travel by improving rider skills and knowledge of local and hinterland roads.

The best of the best - five times MotoGP World Champion motorcyclist Mick Doohan - has teamed up with Council to help boost motorcycle safety.

Queensland Transport and Queensland Police Service research and statistics have shown that some riders involved in accidents on Gold Coast roads may not have had the necessary skills to adequately control their motorcycles. There is also evidence through industry feedback, that ownership of motorcycles and scooters is increasing on the Gold Coast due to their affordability and economical running costs, making this a more desirable mode of transport. As Patron of the Safer Motorcycle Advanced Rider Training (SMART) program, Mick wants to help motorcycle riders be the best they can be. He believes rider education and ongoing training are the keys to avoiding crashes. With Council subsidy, one day's tuition with HART (a nationally recognised motorcycle training organisation) costs $45.

Top-notch professionals will train riders in 'real world' skills on selected public roads around the city and hinterland. SMART groups will consist of up to 24 motorcyclists and four trainers.

For further information about the SMART program, contact Council's road safety staff on (07) 5667 3624.
Who can benefit from SMART? Licensed riders of different levels of experience and skill, who use Gold Coast roads can benefit from the Program including novice and return riders.

What levels of training does SMART offer? SMART offers two levels of 'road skills' based training: * Experienced 1 - requiring participants to have had at least one year of regular riding on an open licence. * Experienced 2 - requiring participants to have had at least five years regular riding on an open licence. Course features * full day instructed ride * personalised, small group training * hazard perception training * risk identification * motorcycle care * protective clothing * motorcycle set up: brakes, clutch, chain, lights, cables, mirrors, tyres, suspension

* cornering
* braking speed handling skills
* eye direction
* road conditions
* lane positioning
* rider fatigue

From March 2009, Council is running full day Safer Motorcycle Advanced Rider Training (SMART) for only $45.To make a booking, or for further program details, please contact Council's Road Safety Unit on (07) 5667 3624 or email email link identifier kburton@goldcoast.qld.gov.au. Please contact Council's Corporate Communication branch on (07) 5581 6976.